Question

"under the Chevron people… Are required to guess whether the statute will be declared ‘ambiguous’ (courts often disagree on what qualifies); and required to guess (again) whether an agency’s interpretation will be deemed (reasonable)...Even if the people somehow manage to make it through this far unscathed, they must always remain alert to the possibility that the agency will reverse its current view 180 degrees anytime base merely on the shift of political wins and still prevail."

—U.S. Circuit Court Judge Neal Gorsuch, Guitierez-Brizueala v. Lynch, 2016


In the context of the scenario, explain how the Chevron decision to which judge Gorsuch refers affected the federal bureaucracy.

Answer 1

The Chevron decision granted federal agencies significant authority to interpret ambiguous statutes they manage, provided their interpretation is reasonable. This has heightened the federal bureaucracy's power but raised issues of predictability and political influence in the interpretation and application of federal laws. It demonstrates the legal and political forces that shape the functioning of the federal bureaucracy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Chevron decision, referred to by Judge Gorsuch, relates to a doctrine from a 1984 Supreme Court case known as Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. This decision significantly affected the federal bureaucracy by giving agencies considerable power in interpreting the statutes they administer. According to the Chevron doctrine, courts must defer to an agency’s interpretation of an ambiguous statute as long as it is “reasonable.” This means that when there is ambiguity in the laws, the agencies have authority to interpret and implement them, provided that their interpretation is not unreasonable.

Justice John Paul Stevens remarked on the importance of upholding the federal statutes and the Constitution, even amidst differing interpretations among justices. The confirmation process of justices, such as that of Brett Kavanaugh, has shed light on the potential impacts of political influence and partisanship on the court. The Supreme Court's interpretation of the Constitution is generally limited to clear statutes but, at times, political views can influence judiciary decisions, especially when justices are interpreting complex or ambiguous texts.

The federal bureaucracy operates under this legal framework, facing unpredictability due to potential shifts in interpretation with changes in administrations. This creates a challenge for individuals and organizations who must anticipate and adapt to these changes in interpretation and enforcement of laws. Ultimately, Chevron's legacy is a more powerful administrative state with greater discretion in applying and interpreting federal law, but this comes with concerns about consistency and accountability.